Thanks for specimens; some observations. The three specimens from [John] Pitchford are 'Byssus furcata', 'Byssus fubra', and 'Polypodium thelypteris'.
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Thanks for specimens; some observations. The three specimens from [John] Pitchford are 'Byssus furcata', 'Byssus fubra', and 'Polypodium thelypteris'.
The grass Smith sent is in his herbarium as 'Festuca glauca', Curtis also had it under same name, but cannot find any description of it; it is like 'F. pumila'.
Asks Smith whether he should be silent and look over the mistakes he finds in other authors, or publish them; points out several errors in [William] Withering's last publication ["An arrangement of British plants" (1796)], including 'Sphagnum alpinum' and 'Phascum repens'.
Apologises for letter they sent Smith being given to Mr Smith Nurseryman in Covent Garden by mistake. Corrects mistake with 'Jungermannia connivens' in his ["Fasciculus plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae" (1785-1801)].
Thanks for 'Bryum rigidum'. No author on Fungi is "to be depended upon", criticises [William] H[udson (c 1730-1793), botanist] and [John] Lightfoot's works. Studying fungi, received some from [James] Crowe. Smith wrong about 'Elymus arenarius'. An 'Elymus philadelphicus' at Sir Joseph Banks'. Has a specimen of 'Elatine alsinastrum'. An 'Arbutus andrachne' sold at [John] Fothergill's [(1712-1780) physician and plant collector] for 51 guineas was not half as large as one at Chelsea.
Lists habitats of species of 'Salix' he found in Scotland: 'Salix retusa', 'Salix reticulata', 'Salix lapponicum', 'Salix lanata', and 'Salix depressa'. Still has some unidentified willows.
Has sent as many of Smith's desiderata as he could find. The 'Splachnum' Smith sent may be 'Splachnum purpum'. Would like to compare his lichens and mosses with the ones Smith received from his foreign friends as it is "the best way of being sure of plants".
Encloses a list of desiderata. Smith has ticked those that he sent: 'Grimmia schisti', 'Grimmia crispula', 'Grimmia donniana', 'Dicranum suscescens', 'Dicranum polycarpum', 'Hypnum swartzii', and 'Hypnum stokesii'.
Encloses list of desiderata of lichen and mosses from "Flora Britannica" and "English Botany" in order to determine his own collection. Smith has ticked the following, probably specimens he sent: 'Gymnostomum aeruginosum', 'Grimmia schisti', 'Dicranum suscescens', 'Hypnum polyanthus', 'Hypnum swartzii', 'Hypnum imploxum', 'Lichen contiguus', 'Lichen conspurcatus'. Has just received some new mosses and lichens from the East Indies.
Sending what he can of Dickson's desiderata, observations on numbered specimens, including: 'Lycoperdon forincatum', 'L. stellatum', new 'Byssus', a 'Boletus', an 'Agaricus', 'Clavaria ophioglossoides', 'Botelus luteus', 'Carex inflata', 'Saxifraga autumnalis', may send 'Polycarpon tetraphyllum'. Lately found new specimen he supposes 'Drosera anglica'. Will send 'Salsola fruticosa' and 'Erysimum cheisanthoides' by [James] Crowe.
Requests complete list of Dickson's desiderata. Appends his own list of desiderata [extant, 3pp], and list of plants for Dickson to acquire from Curtis. Also sending [John] Pitchford's 'Polycarpon tetraphyllum', possibly 'Drosera anglica'.
Thanks for plants, especially 'Lobelia urens' and 'Subularia aquatica'. He is going to Edinburgh in a month to study Physic, hopes there he will be of more botanical assistance to his friends. Doubts over 'Elymus arenarius', will look for 'Bryum rigidum', asks if 'Elatine alsinastrum' is a lost plant. Amazed to hear that an 'Arbutus andrachne' sold at Dr Fothergill's for 51 guineas.